Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Re-emergence of QB Jared Goff pivotal in Lions' first 4-1 start since 2011

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/9/23

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell believes Jared Goff is just scratching the surface of his potential even though the quarterback is playing some of the best football of his career.

"There's always more Goff can give, which is great because he's playing at a high level right now," Campbell said following a 42-24 Sunday victory against the Carolina Panthers.

The three-time Pro Bowler has logged an above-average 71 QBR through five games, fifth among 32 qualifying QBs. Also, he's tied for seventh in passing TDs (nine) and sixth in completion percentage (69.8%).

In the win against Carolina, he completed 20-of-28 passes for 236 yards and three TDs, including a 31-yard flea-flicker to rookie tight end Sam LaPorta. Although the Panthers are 0-5, that shouldn't detract from the dominant outing. Additionally, playmakers were sidelined with injuries, such as running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen).

LET. BEN. COOK.#CARvsDET | FOX pic.twitter.com/V1lHuqYM0J
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) October 8, 2023

"I love where his confidence is at," Campbell said of Goff. "And we came out here saying we wanted to throw this ball early on this game, and man, he was on fire."

Goff will continue to have the hot hand because he and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are a great match. Since Johnson assumed the role in 2022, the 28-year-old QB is fifth in the NFL in passing TDs (38) and the Lions have scored 601 points, fourth in the league.

Some believed that Goff's career was over after the Los Angeles Rams traded him to Detroit in 2021. The former No. 1 overall pick is proving skeptics wrong, however, as the Lions are off to a 4-1 start for the first time since 2011.

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